Full Church in Burrawang.

Last evening I went to the early Christmas Vigil Mass, with my friend Lucy, and her kids - and several hundred other members of the community.

St Peter's, Burrawang is a tiny country church, with two rows of pews (seen here on an earlier occasion, just prior to another Mass). Last night, the Church was full when I got there at quarter to Seven. It ended up being a "standing room only" situation, with a few people outside the side doors, where they could easily hear the ceremony, and take part, from a distance. This so impressed the priest, from the Pauline Fathers Monastery at Sutton Forest, that he commented that he had only seen full churches like that back in his native Poland.

Anyway, the service was enthusiastic, with the little kids providing a living pageant of shepherds, Kings, and (fortunately) a plastic "baby Jesus". I have seldom seen such a large queue for Communion in such a small Church.

After the Mass, we then gathered around outside the Church for a celebratory snack, and a glass of refreshment - which is a nice tradition, which I was not expecting. The church yard was full of cars, and trestle tables, and people. The old Blackwood tree (also seen from a previous event) was last night being climbed by numerous children, in their "Christmas best". The tree is seen here, complete with a wonderful old "prop" in the form of a forked trunk from another tree.
Happy Christmas everyone!

First Communion for Lucy's kids.

On the Liturgical Calendar, today was the Feast of Christ the King. I happened to call in and visit Lucy, just in time to meet her taking the kids off to St Peter's Church, in Burrawang where the children were about to make their First Communion. That is an auspicious occasion, so I decided to tag along.

The kids were all dressed up (somehow it is more apparent with the girls).

Here is Meg, with her certificate, as presented by the priest.And Charlotte

And George.

After the mass was over, I took photos of each of the kids, before they ran off to eat the lollies and chocolates which kind members of the parish had given them. It was very interesting to note how supportive and encouraging the members of the Burrawang community were towards Lucy and the kids. I am not very familiar with this parish community, although I knew some of these people, from other community groups of which I am a member.

Here is Meg in all her finery. And Charlotte, looking sparkling, as usual.

And George.
Actually I think George had started on the chocolate already
and was trying not to choke, laughing, while I tried to take this photo.

Lucy rounded the kids up for a quiet moment,

when they laid some flowers on the grave of their father, Julian.Here is Julian's gravestone. He died in September 2001.

After the Mass, Lucy invited Mary and Trevor, and four of their kids, and me, back to her house, for a celebratory dinner, which was very pleasant.